Waiting for a Boy

We are patiently waiting for our little boy to arrive. There have been ups and downs throughout my pregnancy; times when fears would creep in, and times when I was so excited to meet this new member of our family.  Now that we are nearing due date of his coming (July 14th) I can't help but imagine what he is going to look like, what his talents will be and just the amazing impact he will have on our lives. When I see little infant boys, toddler boys and elementary boys I can't help but feel a tugging on my heart. I can't believe that I get the opportunity to grow up a little boy into a man...major responsibility, but one that I can't wait to embark upon.

33 Weeks

I am still feeling pretty good most of the time thankfully.  I am just finding that after working a full day I am really tired and like to just get home and relax.  (We are at 33 weeks and 3 days...37 weeks is full-term...40 weeks is our due date) Our little boy is getting so big...there have been a couple of times that he has shifted all the way over to one side of my belly, and I could actually see how big he was. I saw his little foot the other day as well, and tickled it back in. AMAZING. There are not as many kicks since he is running out of room, but he stretches and pushes all the time. That is something that I love...those little movements that I feel throughout the day that make me think he is saying, "Hey mom don't forget I am here."

I officially have "pregnancy brain." Yesterday I asked Jason if he had put the "mailboxes out on the curb" (I meant garbage cans).  I also made the comment that we were walking our "watermelon" down the street when we were taking our lawnmower to a friend's house to take care of their yard. Needless to say this has been a very funny part of being pregnant, and has made for some hilarious moments at our home.
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Besides expecting our little man, we are winding down the school year! I can't believe how fast this year has gone. I have been thankful for my job this year, but it isn't like being a teacher in the classroom, but I am thankful for what I was given.  We are still prayerfully waiting for news on Jason's position next year.  This year he has loved being at Straub, it is is only a half-time permanent job, and we are praying for a full-time position...we will see what happens, but we are excited to see where the Lord is going to take him. Still amazed at what he does each day as a special education teacher...it is something he is gifted at, and something I am thankful he has the passion for.

We are also almost done with our second year helping out with the youth group at church.  We will still help out on Sundays but the weekday activities are ending until the school year starts back up in the fall. Just this last week in fact, Jason preached on Tuesday night....I was SO proud of him. He spoke on 'boasting,' so he can't say himself that he did great, but I think he did. :) The youth group is something that we are loving helping out with...you would think that we would have enough of middle school students with our jobs, but it has been a blast getting to feed into their lives and spend time being goofy with our kids.

Keep us in your prayers with all the upcoming changes in our lives. We are so excited to start these next new chapters in our lives, and to see where God is going to take our growing little family. :)

Last Day of School...of Claggett

5th/10th Period: English 7

Student's Notes to Me :)

These mean so much to me...

The reason why I teach...

Well, today was my last day of students at Claggett Creek...and my last full day there as a teacher.  It's amazing to think that this year went by so fast, and how much we were able to accomplish.  I know that my students learned a lot, but I also learned so much.  What a learning experience to come into a position at the beginning of November....to classes with no structure...no assignments...and then came me....someone who is a planner and likes to think of creative projects and assignments.  Needless to say, I think I was somewhat of a shock to my students at the beginning.

2nd/7th Period: Read 180

3rd/9th Period: English 7 (only half the class :)

Love spending time with this group :)

But we got used to each other, worked with each other, and by the end of the year it was hard to see them go.  I am so proud of all that they have accomplished and the strengths that they have been able to build upon.  As a teacher it would be easy to say you judge your success based on grades or test scores...which my students excelled :)...but for me how I judge my student's success on how they are doing compared to where they started, not just academically but personally.  Going on that criteria, this year was a landslide success. I am so proud of them, and know this year impacted their lives...which is why I love teaching in the first place.

Today is bittersweet though...as of now, I do not have a teaching job for the next school year, even though I am loved and appreciated my my administration and staff.  It makes it harder leaving for the summer knowing that once again my future is unknown.  I have learned so much, and have made some great friends in the teachers I had the privilege of working alongside.  We will see what the future brings...here are some pics of what we participated in after-school today :)

 

Claggett Creek Middle School: Mrs. Bernard 2010-2011 :)

New Stage

I am officially a teacher at Claggett Creek Middle School!  The position that I got in November was extended until the end of the year.  I have been hired as an employee of the district, which is great because hopefully that will mean that I will have a position in the coming school year.  I just had my last day as a barista at Starbucks last Saturday.  It was a bittersweet thing leaving, but it was something that I am grateful to close as a chapter in my life. It was a great job, and I learned a lot, but making coffee doesn't fulfill me like impacting and changing lives like teaching does.  As of right now though, I am so thankful for the job that I was given, and look forward to the coming year with the students that I have in my classroom.

Christmas Morning 2010

Jason just started his master's in special education at Portland State University.  He is taking two classes for the next two terms (one in Portland, one online).  This summer he will be going to school closer to full-time up in Portland, then it is just two more terms and he will have his endorsement.  I am so proud of him for going back and re-starting and re-focusing on something that he may have never seen coming.  I am so thankful for his hard work, and the desire that he has to take care of his family.  I know that if he becomes a special ed teacher, or a regular classroom teacher, he will make a huge positive impact on the kids that will be lucky enough to have a him as their teacher.

Other than my new job, and Jason going back to school we have been staying busy.  We got to spend a lot of time with friends and family, and with the new direction in both our lives it looks like we will get to do that more often now.

Last Look at Christmas 2010 :)

That's all for now :)

Final Countdown

This last couple weeks have seemed to fly by. Maybe that's because I am so excited and ready for graduation to get here. Jason and I are both working on getting all our requirements done to finish our student teaching. I am officially done with my teaching, but still have two more weeks that I will be showing up to observe and finish out. Jason has this next week left of his teaching. I know we are both ready to move on...who knows where we will be...we have been applying, but as of yet there is no word on where or what we will be doing this next year.

This last week we had to do a hard thing...our kitty, Mozzarella, is no longer with us...he was not doing good. In two days he had at least 10 seizures and stopped eating and drinking. We knew it was the right thing to do, but it was so hard. It amazes me that this little guy could come into our lives so suddenly and make us really love and care about him. He was a great little kitty, and I know both Jason and I miss him...I never would have thought I would love a cat, but I do.

Jason and I went to our senior banquet last week, where Jason introduced his dad as a speaker. It seems like just yesterday we were graduating from high school. College has been such a great experience, and I know I have learned so much about myself. I can't wait to see where God has our lives going. It just feels so good to have so many open opportunities, and to know that wherever we go we will be together. Graduation is May 2nd...so close!

Busy Time of Life!

** Jason and I have been SO BUSY!! **We are currently working through our second authorization student teaching. I am at Jefferson High School and Jason is at Stayton Middle School. We only have about four weeks left of student teaching, and then we are graduating! It has been just a whirlwind experience for both of us. I know that I have learned so much from my experiences teaching at both Parrish and Jefferson. Jason is pretty sure he wants to teach at the high school level, but I think I would be fine teaching at either level. The countdown to the end of the school year is here...May 2nd is graduation day, and it couldn't come soon enough.Jason took me to "Wicked," the Broadway play a couple of weeks ago for my birthday. It was amazing! It was so much fun getting to watch such talented people sing and sing so powerfully. That was something everyone should go and see!
We also took a day trip to Eugene. It was so much fun to go back to all the places we went on dates during our freshmen year when I went to the University of Oregon. Although it has been hard not getting to see each other very much, we have been trying our hardest to make the time we do have together the best that we can. With spring break coming up this next week, we are both looking forward to spending more time together.

I also celebrated my 22nd birthday since I last wrote. Since Jason was working on my actual birthday, my parents and Kinsey took me out to Claim Jumper for dinner. It was so nice to get to spend time with them, and celebrate. My mom and dad also had the Bernard's over to their house for birthday dessert. I love my family! Happy Birthday!

Jason is so happy to have a little kitty in our home...I am still not set on the idea...a cat in an apartment....Mozzarella is still doing good, not gaining any weight, but he is a sweet and loving cat, so I guess I don't have much to complain about. :)

Snowy Weather

Well, Salem has been having some crazy winter weather the last couple of days! Jason and I both love the snow, so we are really enjoying this weather...it is really snowing hard right now. Thankfully we have a cozy apartment. We have been on Christmas break for a week now, so that has been nice. Next semester we have student teaching. I will be at Parrish Middle School teaching 6th and 7th graders, and Jason will be at Silverton High School teaching history. It is so crazy to think that we are almost done with college...one more semester to go! Here are some pictures of us over the past week :)